U of Illinois to dedicate garden for Chinese scholar

U of Illinois to dedicate garden for Chinese scholar

The University of Illinois is dedicating a garden to a 26-year-old Chinese scholar who authorities say was kidnapped near campus and killed last year.

Yingying Zhang disappeared June 9, 2017, after she arrived at the university in central Illinois. Former graduate student Brendt Christensen has been charged with her abduction and death. Authorities have not found her body.

University officials say they’ll hold a dedication ceremony Thursday for the Yingying Zhang Garden. The garden is located in Urbana, close to the last place she was seen on surveillance video getting into a vehicle. Authorities say she told friends she was on her way to sign an apartment lease.

University officials are inviting students, faculty, staff and the public to the 2 p.m. dedication ceremony.